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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Naal Irunthen

From Ethirigal Jakkirathai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, B. Vasantha
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Ethirigal Jakkirathai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru naal irunthen thaniyaagaOne day I was standing alone,
Oru pen nadanthaal aruge…A girl walked close to me...
Sirithen sirithaal methuvaagaI smiled, and she smiled gently back,
Sivakkum roja malare…Like a blushing red rose...
Male
Shabash da kannuBravo, my dear!
Female
Kulungum vasantham avalaanaalShe became a swaying, vibrant spring season,
Kuvalai malaraai malarnthaalBlossoming like a blue water lily,
Thavazhum thendral avanaanaanHe became the wafting gentle breeze,
Thazhuvum malarai mananthaanAnd united with the flower he embraced.
Male
ho ho hoHo ho ho,
Male
ha ha haHa ha ha!
Male
Pazhagum kaadhal parisaagapAs a gift of our blossoming love,
Paavai kettal unnaiThe maiden asked for you.
Female
Kaetten koduthaar thunaiyaagaI asked, and was blessed with you as my companion,
Eduthen anaithen annaiI lifted you and embraced you close like a mother!
Male
Amma mutham thanthaaMother gave a kiss,
Male
Amma mutham thanthaaMother gave a kiss!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song charmingly narrates the journey of romance from a chance encounter to the joy of togetherness and family affection. It begins with a man remembering how he was alone until a lovely woman crossed his path. Their simple exchange of smiles blossomed into love, described through poetically vivid imagery—she is compared to a blushing rose and a blooming water lily in spring, while he is the gentle breeze that embraces her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Oru naal irunthen thaniyaaga / Oru pen nadanthaal aruge…

Repetition of the initial sound 'Oru' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Metaphor & Simile (Uvamai / Uvameyam)

Kulungum vasantham avalaanaal / Kuvalai malaraai malarnthaal

The heroine is metaphorically described as a vibrant spring ('vasantham') and compared via simile to a blossoming lily ('kuvalai malaraai').

Iyaipu (End Rhyming)

Oru naal irunthen thaniyaaga / Sirithen sirithaal methuvaaga

End rhyme matching 'thaniyaaga' and 'methuvaaga' adds a melodic cadence to the verse.

Personification

Thavazhum thendral avanaanaan / Thazhuvum malarai mananthaan

The gentle breeze is personified as a lover wafting and embracing the flower.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ethirigal Jakkirathai' (1967) features music composed by S. Vedhachalam, who collaborated with lyricist Kannadasan and legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, and B. Vasantha to create memorable, light-hearted classical melodies during the golden age of Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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